On his podcast, former WWF/WCW/TNA writer Vince Russo went on a long rant about WWE’s decision to bring back Zack Ryder aka Matt Cardona – just one week after Cardona won the JCW Championship (it should be noted that Russo has joined Juggalo Championship Wrestling as a writer and on-screen character) – and the company’s odd choice to use two wrestlers they previously released as surprise entrants in John Cena’s The Last Time Is Now tournament. Russo also connected the situation to Joe Hendry’s viral parody song and argued that WWE completely booked Cardona wrong upon his return.
Russo pointed out what he called the “laughable timing” of WWE suddenly using Matt Cardona again. “I swear to God, when you really think about this, it’s freaking laughable,” he said. “A week after we put the JCW belt on Matt Cardona, the WWE decides to use him after a 5-year absence. Oh, coincidental. Okay, guys. Coincidental. No problem.”
He then shifted to what he believed was the most ridiculous part of WWE’s decision-making: the “surprise” entrants themselves. “The two surprises in this last chance tournament… are two guys that they released and didn’t re-sign,” Russo said incredulously. “Those are the two guys they’re using. Two guys they had on the roster and either released or didn’t re-sign – they’re going to bring back as surprises. Is that not odd to you guys?”
Co-hosts Stevie Richards and Bin Hamin agreed, with Hamin pointing out that the timing lined up directly with Joe Hendry’s viral “Bye Bye Miss American Pie” parody, which featured references to Matt Cardona and Chelsea Green. “Joe Hendry put out that satire thing… and he’s even saying Matt Cardona in the song,” Hamin said. “Of course, there’s no coincidences that he shows up there where he’s champ.”
Russo and the crew argued WWE clearly took advantage of the sudden wave of online attention surrounding Cardona but didn’t follow through creatively. Russo said WWE blew a perfect opportunity by booking Cardona to lose immediately. “You bring back Zack Ryder – whatever, man – and you have him lose clean to LA Knight?” he said. “That’s the opportunity to do business. Matt Cardona could have gone over on his first night back instead.”
Russo said it would have made more sense for LA Knight to lose due to outside interference, continuing Knight’s story of always getting screwed. “LA Knight’s whole thing has been somebody keeps screwing him over out of everything. A tournament? If LA Knight’s not going to win it, there’s a chance to keep playing out that game. Somebody should have screwed him over and Matt Cardona could’ve gone over.”
Instead, Russo said WWE did what WWE always does — they used Cardona for a “pop,” ignored what fans actually wanted, and wasted the opportunity. “He’s back… no he’s not. Just kidding,” Richards joked.
